I don't own TWD or any of the characters; only my OC's. Sorry for any grammar mistake, enjoy!
*October 2012*
Amelie had decided to stay until Theo was five: this meant she would only leave the next spring in May 2013. He was an active boy and she felt like he would be able to walk a few hours a day then. Subtly, she was 'training' him; the girl often brought him along to her hunts and played with him a lot. Going outside to track made him walk for a few miles and the games they played were preparing him.
Hide and seek, where he had to find the best hiding place and be completely silent.
Climbing trees with him was amusing.
Tag where he had to avoid being touch by her at all cost.
All of these small games were getting him ready to face the outside world. Maybe it would save his life. She knew there would be a time when they will be on the road where she would have to fight; walkers or survivors…and it would be best if he was hidden or able to fend for himself for a while.
In the last three months, she had let him roamed freely in the Sanctuary: she wanted to see how he acted around people and if he was careful. The girl made him get his meals by himself sometime or she sent him to retrieve stuff. From a distance, she kept her eyes on him, still not trusting the Saviors.
Today she was glad for her attention; two men were now taunting the little boy. Theo appeared to be at lost, not knowing what to do. Amelie had told him to go get a sharpener for her blades and now these two idiots wanted to know where he was going with it. The girl leaned against a house wall, hidden in a alley-way. One of the men slightly pushed him and she had to control herself to not immediately intervene.
The young woman wanted to see how Theo would react first.
The child explained them she had asked him to get the object and told them why. This was good and this was what she expected of him for now.
Amelie quietly headed toward the pair; one man raised his arm to push the kid again and she knew it would be a real shove this time. Rapidly, she unsheathed her daggers and placed one against the man's wrist and pointed the other toward his companion's face.
He jumped, surprise by her presence: '' I wouldn't do that if I was you.'' She drawled darkly.
The teenager fully stepped in front of Theo, shielding him with her body.
'' Is there a problem, gents?'' the girl asked.
None of them responded: their eyes were wide and they were silent; for a moment she was proud of the effect she had on them until she realized they were staring behind her.
'' You should know dumbasses that a mama bear is never too far from her cub…'' A deep voice said on a playful tone.
Negan?
Amelie kept her weapons pointed at the men, but turned her head to look at the leader; this one was swinging Lucille in a threatening way. She lowered her weapons; they were not necessary anymore.
One of the guy stuttered: '' Sir.''
The chief smirked: '' You better 'sir' me! I'm letting that little incident pass…this time. Scram.''
Both men nodded and quickly went on their way; during the short exchange, Amelie had placed herself between Theo and the leader.
And of course, he noticed.
He frowned: '' A bit protective aren't we? I'm currently 'investing' in that kid…do you really think I would harm a fucking child?''
Amelie stared at him quietly and he rolled his eyes: '' Actually, don't answer that. ''
She cocked her head at Theo: '' Retourne à la maison.'' She told him.
By now, he could understand enough French words to get what she was saying.
He slowly recoiled and she watched him go.
'' You teach him French, now? Shit, I mean: wow. That's some high education you're giving him there! '' He exclaimed leaning his weight on one hip and deposing Lucille on his shoulder.
The teenager tried to calm her breathing: '' It can't hurt to know more than one language.''
Circling around her, the man hummed: '' I know what you're doing with the kiddo; you play around with him and shit… but in reality, you're just training him. There is a purpose for everything you do.''
Unconsciously, she began to walk in circle too; the pair slowly turned around. They looked like predators about to jump at each other's throat.
'' I'm preparing him for the outside world like I can.''
She calculated the distance between them. Amelie hated the height he had on her; she wasn't short by any mean, but he seemed to tower over her form.
Negan eyed her: '' He's safe in here.''
He examined her every move.
'' He won't be in here forever.''
Cocking a brow, the man asked: '' Planning on leaving soon?''
'' Next spring; Theo will be ready to travel by then.''
He stopped turning and she did as well; he covered his chest with a hand: '' …And here I thought you liked it here; you wound me.'' He said on a falsely sad tone.
'' I mean no disrespect, Sir, but as I already told you some time ago: it's not my place here.''
''You still feel that way even after all this fucking time with us?''
She thought of their methods and everything they did.
''Particularly after all this time.''
Negan closed his eyes and look down, shaking his head at her in a condescending way.
'' Ah… The world has changed, Amelie… You can't keep thinking shit like that.'' He said as if he knew everything she had implied in her answer. '' Come; it's time to have a talk.''
The leather-clad man spun around and headed toward his house; nervous, she knew better than disobey and so she followed him.
This time, he didn't bring her into his office, but in his large living room on the first floor. He let himself dropped on the nearest couch, his bat still in hand; she awkwardly stood there, not far from him.
He raised an arm toward another seat, but she spoke: '' I'd rather stand.''
''You will sit.'' He ordered.
For a brief moment, she wanted to remain standing, but a small voice told her to pick her battles more carefully with him and so she sat where he indicated.
He sighed: '' So… Where were we? Ah yes; I remember…your way of thinking. '' The man installed himself more comfortably on the sofa. '' You gotta stop to fucking think like that… because the world has changed: the previous rules or not in service anymore.''
He glared at her when she stayed quiet: '' Oh…don't look at me that way: I know you have your own little code of honor. My men have been complaining about you not going to the other communities to collect our due. I have seen the way you look at the cars coming back from the Hilltop and elsewhere...I've seen your pretty little fists clench when we bring back prisoners. You don't lie, you play flair, you saved that boy's life…you saved mine even though I can tell you don't particularly like me.''
The young woman narrowed her eyes at him, unsure of what was the point of this conversation.
'' I get it: you've got morals…and you know what? It will get you kill!'' The man declared, rising from his seat and pouring himself a drink from the small bar behind. He returned to his place: '' As I said, new world's order has fucking changed and people need to change with it.''
Was he trying to warn her or something?
Negan gulped down a large part of his glass: '' You're a clever lass; you will change in time...So, you don't like how things run here; tell me… how else could it fucking run?''
Amelie wriggled on her chair; this was a death sentence; involuntary, her eyes landed on Lucille.
The leader laughed: '' Oh I see I'm about to receive one, big, ass rebuke here; be honest with me… I'm not gonna kill you. ''
The girl breathed deeply and thought of her words, before staring at him: '' First, you're asking too much of these communities; I've seen what your men bring back…it's too much. Eventually, they won't be able to pay your 'taxes' and they will disperse or simply die. If they aren't there anymore, there will be no one to provide for you. I understand you don't like gardening, but you just made yourself dependant of someone else. ''
The savior didn't say anything, but his eyes were fixed on her.
'' Second, you run on gas… you have generators and it's fine; but I'm sorry to tell you this… in a few years there will be no more fuel. I don't know how, but you should use solar energy: your people will always thrive. ''
She was certain after her next words, he was going to reconsider not killing her.
'' Finally, you reign because of the fear you inspire and the violence you use…Sure, you've been clever and played your cards well but, in the end, someone will rebel against you or the Saviors. You should keep these small communities around happy: I know you have a great number of men and guns, but the moment the people you are exploiting realize they are others like them, they will unit…And when they do, you won't be able to save yourself or this place.'' She finished darkly.
Negan wasn't moving and the girl didn't know if it was a good sign or not. Suddenly, there was something akin to… pride? Satisfaction? in his eyes. The man finished his drink and asked: '' It's that why you want to leave? You don't want to be there went the shit hit the fan?''
She shook her head: '' I was never going to stay and this is not a place for Theo… And I don't like your point system.''
He laughed loudly: '' You sure are direct as fuck about this. Since I'm being told home truths, keep going.''
'' Your system is alright if you want to make sure everyone is participating, but it disadvantages the weak and only makes them weaker.''
The man hummed and his grin broadened: '' That's what I call the natural fucking selection.''
Amelie's eyes narrowed: he had thought about it…it had been planned. Natural selection…He was indeed doing his own sick version of it.
He snickered and placed his feet on the small table in front of him: '' Once more, you understand…And I bet you don't like that either. ''
She rose and stepped toward the exit, silently showing her desire to leave: '' No, but I'm not going to complain; you've listened to me enough. ''
The girl knew she had pushed her luck today and felt like this meeting should end, now.
He jumped to his feet and placed himself in front of her, Lucille in his grip: '' This chit-chat was awesome, but we didn't speak enough of the 'you-leaving' topic.''
The gesture, as well as the words, made her frown worriedly.
'' I think it was clear: I'll leave this spring. In May probably.'' She said slowly.
Negan walked closer and she resisted the urge to step back; he smiled at her little show of bravery. The leader raised his hand to caress her jaw; her blood froze in her veins.
'' You see…the thing is, it's not a plus for me to let you leave. In fact, it'd suck a great deal to let you go on your merry way; your presence in the Sanctuary is beneficial. You bring food and material in… you have a fucking brain and you use it: you'd be a fucking good advisor or a right hand man…or I should say woman. '' His eyes roamed over her body. '' I think I like you…and do you know who else likes you? Amber. I wouldn't want to see one of my wives all sad because of your departure.''
Amelie gulped down loudly when he deposed his bat on her shoulder and moved a lock of hair behind her ear: '' You've tried so hard to stay away from everyone, to remain out of our businesses and to keep control of your situation…but you know what? I control the situation. I am the one in charge.''
The young woman felt fear like she had not experienced in a long time and she knew she had made a mistake by not leaving the place as soon as she could. The teenager had foolishly thought that the murder of her father and her sister had ridden her of this feeling…
Only a few inches separated the pair as they stared at each other; her neck was craned backward and him, was looking down at her. The dread in her chest was soon replaced by anger: had she not suffered enough? Had she not traveled miles by herself during the freaking apocalypse?! Who was this man to think he could rule her in this fashion?!
Slowly, as if to not unsettle him, she grabbed the bat in her left hand and hold onto tightly, Amelie felt the barbwires pinch her palm. Now, he couldn't push it into her face and it reassured her. Negan frowned at her gesture, but didn't have the time to do anything else. Abruptly, she punched his diaphragm with her free hand and then kicked him away at the same place in two rapid succession of movement.
The girl watched him hold his abdomen as he tried to breathe; the young woman braced herself and was ready to bolt. Surprisingly, he laughed and redressed himself like her hits barely fazed him.
'' Feisty; I like that…'' He stared at her: '' …but do something like this again and you'll fucking regret it.''
The tall leader stepped aside and pointed at the door with Lucille: '' You can go now: I think I've made myself fucking clear about your departure…and if the itch to check out takes you, remember that a five years old doesn't travel really fast…even less with broken legs.'' He threatened somberly.
The girl's eyes became hard and she slowly moved toward the door, making sure to always face him.
translation: ''go back home''